Reform MP wants illegal
immigrants deported
WebPosted Sun Jul 25
18:14:58 1999
VANCOUVER - West Vancouver's Reform MP
John Reynolds wants the 123 Chinese migrants caught entering Canada
last week out of the country immediately.
Reynolds says the
group of would-be refugees found on a ship off Vancouver Island were
trying to enter Canada illegally and they shouldn't be allowed to
stay.
Reynolds says he is speaking on behalf of his constituents and
that he has received many calls from Canadians looking for the
individuals to be deported.
He says people who spend vast sums to be smuggled from their
countries of origin are not genuine refugees.
It is believed the shipload of Chinese migrants were part of a
human smuggling operation. Last week one of the passengers admitted
he paid $30,000 US for his passage.
Reynolds says Canadian taxpayers shouldn't foot the bill for the
investigation or for the care of the group, which has been staying
at CFB Esquimalt on Vancouver Island.
An immigration lawyer in Vancouver says, however, that allowing
these people to have the opportunity to claim refugee status is just
part of Canada's immigration and refugee process, and it has to be
followed.
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